It has been several weeks since we made a mad dash out of Pillar Point and moved on. Little did we know it would be just as difficult finding wifi along the way, in California. We’ve increased our data plan and hoped it would help. We will see if we can adjust and become more consistent posters.
Let me catch you up. We left Pillar Point and the massive number of sea birds and sea lions to head for Santa Cruz. We were excited to see the board walk and experience the beach side amusement park. I mean a roller coaster on the beach? Yes please.
After leaving Pillar Point at 3 am we arrived in Santa Cruz around 3 pm. We anchored, looked at the beach from the boat, seen the dinghy dock at the pier, and took a nap which lasted until 10 am the next morning. Oops. When we got the dinghy off the boat and headed into the pier our hearts sunk. There is the dock completely blocked by sea lions but where are the stairs? There was no access up to the pier from the dinghy dock. A crusty old grumpy man the next ladder over shouted from the top “they closed the pier during the storm. This is a private ladder and so are all the others. No access! But you can go down to the Kayak guy, he some times lets people up. ” We called said kayak guy and he didn’t answer.
Well, that’s poopy. We returned to Hiraya disappointed. Especially where we needed a part for the propane and we really wanted to see the board walk. The waves were still breaking on the beach from the storm the week prior so beaching the dinghy wasn’t an option. We waited a few minutes then braved it. I dropped Sam off at the private ladder of the crusty grumpy guy, Sam spent 5 minutes schmoozing him over while I quietly did donuts below. Sam finally gave me the thumbs up and I returned to the boat. About an hour later Sam called me on the radio and I swiftly returned to the ladder to do repetitive donuts while Sam now chats with the friendly old guy. I wont call him crusty grumpy any more.
We had our part and we forgot about going ashore. The rides are now closed for the season and only open on holidays and weekends. We will move on.
With Santa Cruz behind us we sailed out toward Monterey. With in just a few hours we were surrounded by 30 to 40 dolphins. Some of which came up to the boat and played in the white water. Every one on boats has seen dolphins do this and it’s not a new story but, Wow. It’s so neat to see it in real life. They are so playful. Swimming and jumping out of the water. Turning on their sides to take a look at you. It’s as if they are saying hello. Loved it. We loved it so much that we kept talking about it to keep our minds off of the thick and wet cloud bank that didn’t break until 1 mile from Monterey.